Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson is meeting with local councillors tomorrow to discuss council tax levels in the town.

The former Northern Ireland Secretary has been invited to a meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council's resources scrutiny forum - one of four council forums to put key issues under the microscope.

The invitation follows a personal plea from Mr Mandelson to Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford for a better deal for Hartlepool.

This year the town received an extra £6.9m from the Government - the best settlement in years.

Despite the increase in grant however, the tax payers are still paying 4.5 per cent more this year.

People are welcome to attend the meeting, at 2pm, in Hartlepool Civic Centre.